Counselling Training is coming to Shaftesbury!

Redlands Counselling Training was founded in Bournemouth in 2008 by Paul René, our Course Director. Paul leads Redlands with a vision of a society where we can all lead healthy, fulfilling and meaningful lives, and believes that high quality and accessible counselling and coaching training can help achieve this.

The Redlands vision states: ‘Everyone can improve their listening skills, and by doing so, the world would be a better place.’

The belief in this vision, and the desire to be a positive force in society, is what lies behind our business model.

The Redlands Model

Redlands trains people in listening, counselling and coaching skills, and many of our students go on to become qualified counsellors and coaches. At the same time we are able to offer affordable counselling and coaching services to the public. This is a win-win situation: trainees at Level 4 can gain the placement hours they need to qualify, and those who are looking for counselling or coaching have access to a service that is more affordable.

The Counselling Service team carefully assess prospective clients to ensure that trainees will safely be able to help those in need of support.

Why Shaftesbury?

Having established a successful training centre based in Bournemouth, Redlands was soon able to identify demand elsewhere, including Poole and Dorchester. The need for mental health support is increasing, particularly since the covid pandemic, and in 2025 we felt the time was right to look for another centre.

We are delighted to have secured the use of the Grade 2 listed Old School House in the heart of Shaftesbury so that now Redlands can extend its offering to North Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset.

What will you offer at Shaftesbury?

We will run regular Free Taster sessions so you can come along, meet us, ask any questions and have a go at one or two counselling skills. The next step is the Effective Listening Skills course, which is for a total of 12 hours. This is like a starter to Level 2 really. Neither of these courses are compulsory to progress to Level 2.

Level 2 (Counselling Skills) is the first course on the CPCAB certification route that we run. CPCAB stands for Counselling & Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body. This is the Body which awards the qualification to students who are assessed as proficient at the end of the course. CPCAB is the only national Awarding Body which specialises in counselling qualifications.

The Level 2 course takes around 4 months to complete, and it’s where you learn and practice a whole range of counselling skills. Our first one in Shaftesbury will be in October 2026.

Going on from there will take you to Level 3, where you build on your skills from Level 2 and learn about counselling theories (and a lot more!) We’ll be running the Level 3 in early 2027, so keep an eye on our social media, emails or website to stay informed. And of course, we then progress to the BACP (British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy) Approved Level 4, a Diploma level course after which you’ll be qualified as an agency counsellor.

Here’s a bit more detail about the courses themselves:

The Free Taster

On our free Taster sessions we welcome anyone (over 18) to come along, meet us, and ask any questions you may have about counselling training and Redlands itself. You can also have a go at one or two counselling skills if you like. We hope you will be inspired to at least try the short course but there’s zero hard selling or pressure in any way. It’s the perfect way to do some research and have a look around at our new centre.

The Effective Listening Skills - Short Course

Listening skills are usefuI in almost every situation. This very popular short course is a great starter and sometimes all that people want. The first one in Shaftesbury will be held in June 2026. On this course you’ll learn skills to help you gain a greater understanding of others and discover the satisfaction of building deeper relationships with colleagues, family and friends. Even having a meaningful conversation with the stranger at the bus-stop can be uplifting! And in our increasingly digital world the younger generation in particular can be in need of building up communication skills. This course gives you a good basis, and if you find you want to learn more, you can then decide to progress on to the Level 2.

Onward training

Our very first Level 2 class in Shaftesbury will begin in October 2026 and we can’t wait to start! If you are unable to travel to Shaftesbury we do offer online training, up to Level 3. (Note : If you wish to become a qualified counsellor and take the diploma, you will need to complete a Level 4 class in person and not online.)

Services for Counsellors

We will also be offering our available rooms for rental to existing counsellors or coaches. Please enquire by emailing [email protected]. Prices are currently from £12 an hour.

We also offer a range of online CPD courses to existing counsellors who need to keep up their training hours.

Hear from a local

Charlie kindly sent us in the following review, having done her training in Bournemouth. She’s delighted that we’re moving closer!

My Redlands Journey: A Path to Growth and Self-Discovery

When I first enrolled at Redlands Counselling College, I had no idea just how transformative the experience would be. Looking back now, I can honestly say it’s been the best journey I’ve ever undertaken for self-discovery and personal growth.

From day one, the training at Redlands was professional, structured, and delivered with such clarity and care. Everything was so well-organised, and the quality of the teaching was consistently high -I truly can’t fault it. But beyond the professionalism, what stood out most was the sense of connection and support that ran through every aspect of the course.

I met some incredible people along the way - fellow students and tutors who created a safe, welcoming space to learn, reflect, and grow. Their kindness and encouragement made all the difference, especially during the more challenging moments of the journey.

Redlands didn’t just teach me how to become a counsellor - it helped me understand myself on a deeper level. I’ve grown not just in skills, but in confidence, empathy, and self-awareness.

If you’re considering counselling training and want a place where you’ll feel supported, challenged, and inspired, I can’I can't recommend Redlands highly enough.

Charlie Morgan

March 2026